Aston Villa will travel to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night for their Premier League match and the Gunners will look to extend their unbeaten streak to six games. On Monday night, to earn a point against Crystal Palace while in the West Midlands derby Villa were stunned by a late Wolverhampton Wanderers comeback. Here is everything you need to know about Arsenal vs Aston Villa football prediction for the Premier League match of the season.
Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal’s sole confirmed absentee for the visit of Aston Villa is Granit Xhaka.
Due to a harsh challenge Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka after he was forced off against Crystal Palace.
Kieran Tierney will also be evaluated after leaving Monday’s game with an issue. For the home team, Nuno Tavares is on standby.
Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette are on standby to take his place if Saka is unable to recover from his injury in time.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is an option if Arteta feels he needs a more defensive-minded midfielder to pair with Thomas Partey, though both made mistakes that led to goals against Palace.
Aston Villa
After arriving in the UK from South America, Emi Martinez and Douglas Luiz were both cleared to play less than 24 hours, underscoring Dean Smith’s importance.
Dean Smith has cleared Leon Bailey to play, although he will most likely just play on Friday night. For the away side, Matty Cash has recovered from a dead leg.
Villa blew a two-goal lead last weekend, but they were worth it before making changes, so despite the heartbreaking loss an intact lineup is still a possibility.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction
Arsenal may consider themselves fortunate to have rescued a late point against Palace last time out, but after back-to-back draws, the home supporters will want the Gunners to go one better this time around.
This season for Villa has been marred by personnel issues, with key forward recruits failing to line up together and they would have been in good shape if they had held on to beat Wolves.
Indicating that Villa know how to beat Arsenal, but the Gunners could be in for another draw, Dean Smith’s side have won the last three encounters between the two clubs without conceding a goal.
Match Facts
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 11 of Arsenal’s past 11 home games against Aston Villa in all competitions.
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in seven of Aston Villa’s previous eight away games (Premier League).
In all competitions, Aston Villa has preserved a clean sheet in their last three matches against Arsenal.
In their last three matches against Arsenal in all competitions, Aston Villa has won both halftime and fulltime.
In all competitions, Aston Villa has won their last three encounters against Arsenal.
Arsenal is unbeaten in their last five games (Premier League).
Lineup
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Smith Rowe; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Martinez; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Cash, Luiz, Sanson, McGinn, Targett; Watkins, Ings
Our Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
